Happiness is key!! How I lost 65 lbs.

I was overweight for years. I tried 3 times to get it under control. I put in serious effort, but results were slow, and I got discouraged. I would give up, and all I lost would come back, plus a few extra pounds! Around Sept of 2014, at the age of 46, I decided enough was enough. I started on my fitness pal, counting calories and trying to eat more healthy. I couldn't stay within the low calorie counts that were suggested, so I tried the best I could, giving myself a little room for extra calories. I eventually gave up soda. I saw a quick 10 pound drop. I weighed myself almost daily. I constantly read the success stories, looked at before and after pictures for inspiration. I read about one girl that had lost over 100 lbs just by eating less. I was encouraged by that. But, I got more rigid in my clean eating. I got to the point of being able to stay within the low calorie limit. I saw more weight dropping more rapidly. I started to exercise. I began by doing Leslie Sansone videos in my living room. I love her. I could only do a mile when I started, but soon got up to 3. I tried not to make it a chore to exercise. I didn't push too hard too fast. I had a goal of at least 3 times a week. Then, I found myself looking forward to my time with Leslie! Before I knew it I was addicted, and craved the workouts. I would go for walks outside, and tried hiking. Again I was frustrated at my fat, out of shape self. I couldn't keep up with my husband and kids on hikes. But, I was determined this time to stick with it. Something was different this time, I could feel it! My attitude about life was transforming along with my body. I was becoming more confident. I started thinking about me first, what I needed and wanted, I was actually accomplishing something I always thought was out of reach! I soon gave up sugar. I dropped about 25 pounds in 3 months. Then in May of 2015 my husband I and separated, and I became a ball of stress and anxiety. I found it hard to eat, or sleep. I continued to exercise. It was a form of "therapy" for me. I hiked 7 miles 3 times a week, and went on 3 miles walks almost every day. I lost 30 lbs in 5 months. By then, my eating returned to "normal". I was not eating as cleanly as before. By now, my metabolism was fired up and burning up everything I ate. I remembered reading about the girl that ate anything she wanted, just less of it, and didn't beat myself up for not eating clean. After I lost the bulk of my weight, I decided to start toning. I started lifting small amounts of weights. People kept asking how I was losing so much weight, did I have surgery? I would laugh and say it was stress and anxiety from my divorce. I believed it was, til one day I realized I hadn't really been stressed or anxious for months. I realized I was happy! So I started telling people I lost the weight because I was truly, finally happy! I have lost 65 lbs. and kept it off for a year now. I still hike about times a week. I do ab, arm, butt and thigh workouts at home with you tube videos. Jessica Smith, fitness blenders, and Rebeca Louise are my favorites. I have a friend that I workout with. We encourage and push each other. It does help to be accountable to someone else. It really hasn't felt hard or like a lot of work. I have truly enjoyed the journey. Feel free to ask me anything. Good luck! If I can do it, so can you!!!